NATURE WATCH: Rainfall Dearth Shrinks Salamander Pool

by Nona Estrin

Blue-spotted salamander. Photo by Greg Schechter

Early in the cool, up to the woods off Brazier Road where we have permission to roam. Visited a number of favorite haunts. Most of these we named over the decades after events or findings. Some, Porcupine Condo, and Spotted Salamander Pool, still inhabited by their namesakes, or descendants. But unexpectedly, came face to face with the fact of low rainfall this summer. The salamander pool was lower that I’ve seen it in 15 years. Yet the woods are moist and green and chanterelles are gleaming from the occasional mossy hummock.